Proverbs 15:12

12 A scoffer does not like {his rebuke}; to the wise he will not go.

Proverbs 15:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:12

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him
He that makes a jest of religion; scoffs at godliness and godly men; treats the Gospel and the ministers of it with contempt; makes a mock at good men, and all that is good; a pestilent fellow, as the Vulgate Latin version: such an one not only does not love, for more is intended than is expressed; but hates him that reproves him, and especially if publicly, ( Amos 5:10 ) ; he thinks ill of him; bears him a grudge, and abhors him; and speaks evil of him, and reproaches him; and does all he can to the injury of his person and name; hence the advice of the wise man, ( Proverbs 9:7 Proverbs 9:8 ) . Some render it, he "loves not reproving himself", or "to reprove himself" F2; he does not care to look into his own heart and ways, or to call himself to an account for what he does; nor to check himself in the pursuit of sin, nor argue with and reprove himself for it; neither will he go unto the wise;
to the private houses of wise and good men; nor to the house of wisdom, or place of public instruction, where wise dispensers of the word give good advice and counsel; scorners do not choose to go to either, lest they should be reproved for their evil ways, and be advised leave them; neither of which is agreeable to them; see ( John 3:20 John 3:21 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F2 (wl xkwh) "corripere", Gejerus.

Proverbs 15:12 In-Context

10 Severe discipline [belongs] to him who forsakes the way; he who hates a rebuke will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon [are] before Yahweh, {how much more} the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer does not like {his rebuke}; to the wise he will not go.
13 A heart of gladness will make good {countenance}, but in sorrow of heart a spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge, but the faces of fools, they will feed on folly.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally "rebuke [belonging] to him"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.